ISight Optometry Game Recap: Rockets Sweep Blazers and Advance to the Second Round

The Kelowna Rockets became the first team in the WHL to punch their ticket to the second round, completing a commanding series sweep of the Kamloops Blazers with a 6-2 victory Wednesday night. Vojtech Cihar led the way once again with two goals, capping off a dominant series in which he recorded six goals and ten points in just four games. Keith McInnis also contributed offensively, picking up a pair of assists in the win.

BOXSCORE | HIGHLIGHTS

GAME SUMMARY

The opening frame was a very tight checking as the Blazers controlled most of the play. It took just 2:04 for Tommy Lafreniere (1) to capitalize on the powerplay and give Kamloops a 1-0 lead.

Kelowna responded late in the period, finding some life before the intermission. Vojtech Cihar (5) buried a rebound at 18:19 to tie the game 1-1, with Tij Iginla and Keith McInnis picking up the assists. Despite the goal, it was an off period for the Rockets, who were outshot 17-8.

The second period saw a much stronger push from Kelowna as they flipped the momentum. Hayden Paupanekis (1) struck on the powerplay at 4:06 with a wicked shot to give the Rockets their first lead at 2-1. Keith McInnis and Parker Alcos added assists. Later in the frame, Dawson Gerwing (2) continued his hot streak, scoring for the second straight game at 16:30 to extend the lead to 3-1. Nate Corbet and Hiroki Gojsic were credited with the helpers. The Rockets carried that 3-1 advantage into the second intermission.

In the third, Kelowna pulled away for good. Tomas Poletin (1) scored in tight off a turnover from the Blazers goaltender just 4:26 into the period, making it 4-1. Vojtech Cihar then added his second of the night at 6:47 to push the lead to 5-1. The Blazers answered with Tommy Lafreniere’s (2) second of the game to cut it to 5-2, but that was as close as they would get. With under three minutes remaining, captain Carson Wetsch (2) sealed the win—and the series—with a goal at 17:16, assisted by Rowan Guest.

The Rockets finished 1-for-3 on the power play, while the Blazers went 1-for-2.

Goaltender Harrison Boettiger was solid once again, stopping 31 of 33 shots in the victory. He closed out the series with a perfect 4-0 record, along with an impressive 2.00 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage.

ADDITIONAL STATS

Shots on Goal: Kelowna 30 | Kamloops  33
Power Play: Kelowna 1/3 | Kamloops 1/2
Faceoffs: Kelowna 22 | Kamloops 35

UP NEXT

The Rockets will now wait to find out who they will play in the second round of the 2026 WHL Playoffs.